Channel partners are just starting to digest Cisco's jump into the blade server space with its Unified Computing System. What opportunities will this new strategy around virtualized data centers mean for them?

Cisco can draw on its networking strength to push its new architecture for uniting server, storage and networking architectures, but many in the industry caution that Cisco is moving toward proprietary systems.

Cisco on Monday outlined its Unified Computing System, which ties together servers, networking, storage and virtualization. The system includes Cisco's first blade server offering as part of its overall architecture.

Cisco is expected to unveil its unified computing strategy, including a blade server offering, on Monday. Partners are eager to see what Cisco will offer and how it will change the face of the data center and virtualization.

Doron Kempel says selling hyper-convergence can be challenging for solution providers, but success will come from taking business from competitors that are unprepared or hesitant to embrace the technology.